Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
4th Baker Memorial Cycling Classic…Anthony classical in victory; Leung, John, Dick, Williams & Lovell also shine
By Franklin Wilson
He is quickly establishing himself as one of Guyana’s promising talents having graduated to the senior ranks of the sport this year.
Members of the Baker family pose with the recipients of prizes following the presentation yesterday in Linden.
Linden’s Michael Anthony, a member of Evolution Cycle Team, added the prestigious Baker Memorial Cycling Classic senior title to his collection winning a memorable sprint home from seasoned campaigners, Alonzo Greaves and Geron Williams.
The 4th edition of this event, which is held in memory of the late Baker parents, Joseph and Adelaide of Linden and organized by the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC), saw Anthony clocking 2 Hours 23 Minutes 10.81 Seconds to win the 60-mile contest.
Greaves, Williams, Paul DeNobrega, Mark Harris and Shaquille Agard occupied the other positions in the top six. The riders were sent on their way just after 08:00hrs yesterday with the sun out in all its glory.
Setting themselves apart from the 19 starters early, around the Bamia area were junior rider Raphael Leung who rode brilliantly to win this category and also place 7th overall, Travis Jeffrey, Mark Harris, Shaquille Agard and Akeem Wilkinson followed in that order.
But the bigger guns would not have the leading pack enjoy their lead for too long as Anthony, Greaves, DeNobrega and Williams connected with them at Soweyo; they held a handsome lead of about three minutes or so, on the rest of the field.
On the downward journey, the turn back point being Long Creek, Linden Soesdyke Highway, the leaders held together until Wilkinson unfortunately suffered a puncture at Kairuni which put paid to his chances of placing in the top six. Jeffrey was dropped shortly after.
Leung did his best but was not able to topple any of the other riders and had to settle for the top spot in the junior category; he received much kudos from the fans that followed the race for riding brilliantly.
Absent from yesterday’s race was back to back defending champion John Charles who turned up after the race in his cycling apparel to hand over the winning trophy and cash to the new champion, Michael Anthony.
Andrew Hicks and Christopher Griffith were the second and third placed juniors. Brighton John copped the top spot for juveniles with Denzil Huntley second. Marica Dick was the lone female to compete yesterday.
Kennard Lovell, Andy Spencer and Randolph Toussaint were the top three in the Over-50 class while the Under-50 winner was Ralph Williams who was followed by Jaikarran Sukhai and Lear Nunes in that order.
Members of the Baker family were on hand to assist in the presentation of prizes; they took the opportunity to thank the riders, 35 in all for coming out to make the event another success. LBFCC President Okel Arthur also thanked the cyclists for participating and the Baker’s family as well as the USA based Guyana Sports Development Foundation for making the possible again this year.
The organisers have promised that the 2016 edition will surpass any other year. Meanwhile, cyclists will be in the limelight again today when they compete in the annual NAMILCO CARICOM Day Classic to be held around the Seawall Bandstand from 09:00hrs.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Burnham must be having a good laugh
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Each week, the more Bharrat Jagdeo speaks, the more the lines between party and government... more
Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal
Sir Ronald Sanders (Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS) By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News–... more
Weekend Cartoon
